Healthful Beauty // Pore Confessions

01/15/2015

Hello friends! Well, it’s been quite a while since we’ve visited my Healthful Beauty series, hasn’t it? I had so many plans and aspirations for that series, but life and reality catches up with you, and that’s what I’m here to talk about in this post. In my “Whats, Hows, and Whys” post last year, I described how I planned to switch from the chemical-laden acne treatment, Proactiv, to some more healthful regimes that would be better for my skin and overall health. Well, today I have some confessions, and stories, to tell about how that was probably one of my biggest fails. Duh duh duuuuuhhhhhh! 😉 Let’s get digging, shall we?

Ah, acne. That terrible skin condition that so many of us deal with, rub creams and lotions into, pick at (eww… oh wait, that’s me 😛 ), wash… you know the drill. If you are one of those lucky ducks who has gotten through your teen years pimple-free, I congratulate you, shake your hand, and turn green in the face with envy. Ok, not really 😉

A year or two ago, I didn’t think myself as an oily-skinned, acne-prone teenager. Probably for two reasons:

I was too naive to even know that those terms existed (I used to WANT acne… and freckles… when I was 10. Oh, how the years change you…!)

I had been using Proactiv since mom gave me a tube when I was a young single-digit, so I didn’t even flinch about it. Never had break-outs, just rubbed the stuff in on occasion and called it done.

Well, that was all about to change as my birthday in which I could begin wearing makeup, rolled around. I began to be more conscious about my skin care, and how it was affecting my face and overall appearance, etc. I relayed to Mom all my ideas and aspirations, but she warned me against them, telling me to be cautious since Jessica had tried something similar in the past. I’ll tell you that story, just to give you some background.

A year or so before the conversation I described above, Jessica had been bitten by the same “healthful beauty bug” that bit me last year. She began to read up about this new-fangled thing called oil cleansing, and found that hemp seed oil would help with acne. We tried it out, all three of us, and… Cue the scary music… it was a total disaster. Our skin broke out like never before. It was a nightmare. I look back at pictures of us when we were going through that time, and shudder.

I guess that going through my teens causes me to have a very experimental, independent way of thinking. I thought that we girls did it all wrong with the hemp seed oil, and maybe I could better it. After all, it’s better to think long-term health than short-term appearance, right? Of course! If you’re willing to suffer the mental discouragement and utterly blemished face like I did. Let me explain:

I first began with the good ol’ Oil Cleansing system. I did my research, steered far away from the hemp seed oil, and discovered that Grapeseed oil would be the way to go for me. Using that along with Cowgirl Dirt’s Rawhide Facial Serum and Deep Sea Mask, I thought I was set and ready to begin a whole new era with my skin.

Boy, but was it an era! After the first few weeks, I had completely broken out, and my skin was oilier than ever. It did have a partially healthier tone to it, but still, it didn’t clear up my acne in the least. I attributed that to my teenage hormones and kept on for about a month and a half. During this time, I had several singing engagements with the girls, as well as photo shoots, and what not. Needless to say, it was a little very discouraging looking at those photos and seeing an acne-d face that used to be a moderately clear surface. All the while, Mom bore with me patiently, which I am so thankful for, since I know that my spotty face was trying for everyone in my clear-skinned family.

Well, I finally gave up on the oil cleansing method, and decided to go for something different: Yes to Tomatoes acne treatment! I heard great reviews on this regime, and wanted to give it a go, after my poor experience with experiment #1. With hopes as high as the clouds, I began the daily scrubbing, massaging, and dotting. Several weeks went by (obviously I was very patient and persistent with this stuff), but nothing amazing happened. My skin was pimply as ever, although the redness seemed to fade. Thank heavens I tried this whole experiment in the Summer when my face is at its best! The treatment was rather harsh on my skin, so I can only imagine the catastrophe that might have taken place had this been tried in the Winter!

Mom finally had enough of it. It was while we were down in Tennessee that I got out, via Mom’s wise direction, the beloved Advanced Blemish Treatment by Proactiv for the first time in months. That was just the beginning of what was to happen next…

Ah, relief! Reality finally hit, and I came down from the lofty clouds of healthful beauty to practical beauty. I got back on board the train with my sisters using Proactiv as my daily regime, and look at the difference…

Pretty significant, eh? Well, if that’s not enough, the before portrait was taken during the “changing back” period from “Yes To” to Proactive, while my skin was repairing. Yes, it was worse than that.

I must disclaim here that this post is not to condemn the products that I used during my experimentation. I know that many people have had better results with them, and they probably do work with more mature, less acne-prone skin. They just don’t work specifically with my young, oily, acneous (yes, I just made that word up) face.

Why did I write this post? For two reasons:

I needed to open up with you all about my skin adventures that I’ve had. I made it sound so rosy in my “Whats, Hows, and Whys post“, but I needed to clarify that it didn’t turn out to be the walk in the park I imagined it. I got into this with the idea of it being an experiment. I planned to give a treatment around 2 months to work, and if it didn’t, then I would move on. As you could see above, I did that twice, and finally had to give it up. In reflection of the verse that I quoted in my past post, Proverbs 14:15, I can’t help but smile and think that I have become very prudent with my skin regime. 🙂 I also should note that along the way I have gained some new healthful products that do work with my skin from the regimes that I tried, which I use along with Proactiv. So my experimentations weren’t a complete loss of time and money 🙂 If you would like, I could share those in another post. Let me know!

I want this post to communicate that sometimes it’s OK to use chemical-laden products. However good the whole natural, healthful beauty movement may be, it’s alright to come back down from those ideals to what’s real and what works.

I hope that this post has been helpful for you who have been on a similar journey as myself, or who are still going through it. If you have any questions, feel free to leave them below, and I’ll do my best to answer! Also, if you know of a friend who might find encouragement from this post, don’t shy from sharing via the buttons below!

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About Charlotte

Charlotte is the Art Director, Web Designer and Developer of the blog. She loves expressing her creative side through photography, web & graphic design, sewing unique, creative clothing, singing opera & broadway music, and playing the piano.

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Oh Charlotte, I love your honesty! It sounds like your face had a rough time of it this summer. I had a similar experience with my hair and shampoo. (baking soda and acv… did not work.) I would be very interested in hearing about the healthful products you found along the way. 🙂
~Nuala

Good for you Charlotte! 🙂 And whatever happened, at least you know now what you need to do instead of wondering what would be best. I’ve had definite fails in that department. My skin is fairly good for a teenager so I can get away with the natural products. But other parts of me need the chemicals. My hair, for one thing. The Dr. Bronners soap left my hair as greasy and smelly as could be. I went running back to the cheap Suave shampoo and have learned my lesson there. Also, I think most people can agree on how badly most natural deodorants work. However, I always use natural when I can, and it makes me feel better about how my body will be 40 years from now. 🙂 Thanks for posting and helping us learn with you.
God bless!

Thanks for sharing your stories and honesty, Charlotte! I’ve thought about using the Yes-to-Tomatoes set, so thanks for the heads-up. =) Recently I’ve found Young Living’s orange blossom facial wash to tighten up/cleanse my face, but it’s pricey, so trying to use it somewhat sparingly. Blessings! (Also, LOVE the clean, professional images + design + labels!! So great!!)

i really appreciated and enjoyed this post Charlotte. I have struggled for years with acne prone skin, sometimes being on a good clear hill, and sometimes in a valley. I used proactive for the longest time with success here and there. A year ago I went to the dermatologist and received some topical prescriptions which sometimes seemed to help. However, I recently had a makeover with Clinique and have since started their face wash regime specifically tailored to my skin type( as well as their acne friendly foundation). I am so far loving it because it not only has hints of acne medication but they are products that are great and gentle for the overall health of my skin (since it has suffered with topical treatments). I am curious to see how this new system goes:) Thanks again for your opened with sharing your journey!
– Madisonhttp://Www.1minniemuse.blogspot.com

Thank you for this post, Charlotte!
I don’t really have s problem with acne, but when I do get a couple of little spots I use Aveeno baby lightly scented body wash and shampoo. I am not kidding when I say it is gone within two to three days!!!
Oh, and I love your beauty posts by the way (:

Love this Charlotte! Moderation in all things is key. I tried the natural route for a long time, and still broke out all the time. Finally (in my 20s!) I’ve stuck with a Neutrogena system that works better than anything else I’ve tried. As my science loving mother always says “everything is technically a chemical.” There are pros and cons to both systems. 🙂
-Lauren

I, too, have been trying to avoid Proactiv and go natural. For months I’ve been using a Burt’s Bees Soap bark and chamomile cream wash. Honestly, my face is still unhappy, with large unhealing pimples in certain places, even though it has a somewhat healthier look in the skin hue.

I will have to go back to Proactiv, too. What is the Proactiv regime that works for you? I know that Jessica has recommended the sensitive skin Pro Activ set. What works for you personally in the Proactiv system that you would recommend to us?

So interesting! Thanks for sharing your thoughts/experiences. I am not acne/zit prone whatsoever, but have the opposite problem of rather dry skin, particularly in winter. I’m always rubbing lotion all over everything. 🙂

I have to admit, I wondered about the oil routine, simply because, by logic, we know that oil clogs pores. Just for curiosity’s sake, I may do some research about this regimen….

And the scientist in me has to point out, like Lauren, that just because something has chemicals in it doesn’t necessarily mean that it’s bad. For instance, the ACV/baking soda hair cleaning combination is a pretty powerful chemical reaction taking place. Just a thought. 🙂

Anyway, great post! I always love reading about people’s experiments like this.

Charlotte, I have dealt with acne as well since I became a teenager (I’m now almost 17)
I wanted to go all natural, and even though my dad pushed me to try Proactiv, I resisted. I cut dairy out of my diet, and even though it took a while it did help (I’ve been dairy free for 2 years, and my acne/health is way better). I finally gave in after having a super terrible breakout. I purchased Proactiv + (which is the newish system) and LOVED it. I’m straying away now, but Proactiv really does help. Thank you so much for sharing your story with us!
-Tikvah

Oh, Charlotte! I have SO been in the same boat! I’ve tried the oil cleansing method with a few different types/combinations of oils and other natural soaps/cleansers… and still, the only thing I’ve found that makes any difference in my acne-prone skin is a specific prescription from the dermatologist.

But, at least we can say that we TRIED, yes?! And, so you are aware, I for one was SO encouraged by your words that it is indeed okay to use something that isn’t natural but that WORKS. I agree. If you can go natural and healthful and have it work, go for it! But if not, it isn’t worth the extra time, frustration, and, let’s face it, the extra funds.

I was thinking about buying the Yes- To-Tomatoes set since you mentioned using it in a previous post. So glad you posted this before I actually bought the products! I tried going natural with my shampoo and conditioner but it didn’t work for me. It tends to make my hair either extremely dry or extremely oily. Do you girls use natural hair products? =)

Don’t be too jealous of the teens that go through those years without bad skin ~ I was one of them, and now I struggle way more with adult acne and a problematic skin than I ever did as a teen. 🙁

I will say that I thought your review of the different products you’ve tried to be quite insightful. I personally use oil cleansing and oil moisturizers for my skin, and that so far has had the best results after trying a lot of different types of products. I think you do have to experiment to find out what may or may not work for you, but also not be afraid to use what does work when you find it!

Hello dear! My goodness! You sure have been on a roller coaster of sorts since the last time you checked in with your Healthful Beauty! It feels so nice knowing though, that you would come around to share with each of us your happenings, for our benefit. I see exactly what you are saying, though your every intention was to make a better choice for you skin health, you have to look at the practicality of those choices as well. Is this really bettering my skin in the long run? I also am quite happy that your “adventures” did not last only a quick week or two, you really tried your best at what was made aware to you! Not to say in the future you may find something that meets all you needs and wants, but for now it is good to make the switch back to what you skin likes to keep it’s self healthy with. (And if I also may say, sorry to you as well. I know how it is, finding a fabulously healthy looking product only to have reality set in and say “nope, I like the junky stuff” when all you wanted was to make a switch that seemed so much better and up your alley than the others. Oh bother! )

I’m glad you mentioned something about Cowgirl Dirt’s serum and mask. I probably would have brought them up otherwise as I have been using those products for the past two weeks (with samples mind you) and personally loving the serum so much! I’m glad you told some of the pros along with the reasons you yourself had to abandon them as not all of us have the same skins types and hearing things you said may in fact entice another.

And yes, please do include the products that you are now using along side your beloved Proactiv! I would love to know what other products caught your eye while on this jaunt! 🙂 And as well as the pros and cons of the differing levels of Proactiv that you three have tried! I think is IS one of the better “chemical products” that one could use, so learning about it may be a step in the right direction for some of us!

Thanks ever so much for sharing, Charlotte!
The photos are wonderfully done, Brigid! 🙂
And the graphics, very well indeed Charlotte!

While I don’t want to come out sounding all “natural gal,” I must. While I certainly understand your struggle, since I’ve been there/still there! I had horrendous acne on my face, arms and back. Really bad, mine makes yours look like a walk in the park. Basically, I’ve learned through much trial and error that what you put INTO your body is far more important than what you’re putting ON it.
For me, I finally cleared up once I went on THM (Trim Healthy Mama) it’s a combination of eating low carb high fat at one meal and low glycemic and little fat. I now rarely put anything on my face, when I have hormonally related pimples I use the oil cleanse method you mentioned, but I use olive oil mixed with a bit of tea tree/melaleuca oil and lavendar. And I rarely have to even use products on my face (I.E natural lotion, the oil cleanse).

I just wanted to let you (and your other readers) know that acne isn’t always based on top

Just wanted to echo Natasha. What you eat really makes a huge difference on your skin. I don’t normally struggle very much with acne, but I my skin definitely shows when I’ve eaten the least bit of sugar. Staying on a healthy diet (yay for THM!) keeps my skin clear. Your skin is just trying to get rid of toxins, so if you don’t put them in your body in the first place your skin won’t have such a hard time getting rid of them.

Thank you, Charlotte for sharing your journey with natural skincare, and for being honest about it all.

Back when I was a teenager, I tried out the natural skincare regiment and boy, did my skin hate me. Every time I would wash my face, it would break out — and silly me thought my face just didn’t like to be washed [I was young, and my mom never had a breakout growing up]. So I would only wash my face on the rarest of occasions, until when I was finally around the age of 18 when I discovered that I needed to try other products out. I went at first with the more natural/organic route [Yes to Cucumbers…], but my face still broke out, until I finally had to realize that more chemical based products were the only thing that my face enjoyed.

It was the same way for hair products for me. In my teen years, I would use all these organic all-natural hair products that my Mum would buy for me, but I would always suffer from dandruff — no matter how much I would wash my hair. Finally, I found stuff that worked for me within the past couple years, after years of struggling with dandruff. I must say, I’m happy those days are over. 😉

Anyhow, please do keep us informed of the products that both work for you, and ones that don’t.

Thanks for your honesty, Charlotte. I have found through my own experiences with health issues that sometimes the natural, “healthy” methods work and sometimes we need the man-made chemicals. God has allowed men to make some very useful discoveries that do help us, even though they aren’t “natural”. 🙂 It’s good to be prepared to use either or both as the need arises.

Charlotte, I found this post through “Never Stop Dancing”, so I’m a bit late in commenting. 😉
Thank you for sharing this! I know exactly what you’ve been through. I’ve had acne since my early teens, though it was actually better when I was younger than now. At twenty years old, it doesn’t exactly make me feel my age! 😀 I’ve tried just about anything, including a generic version of Proactive (probably not as good as the real stuff, I’m guessing). Suffice to say, I understand your journey oily acne-filled journey!
Also, thanks for saying that sometimes *gasp* chemicals are needed! 😉

I had very little trouble with my skin as a teen, BUT as soon as I was ending the teens, I began to have very big troubles with my skin, including Rosacea. Recently I’ve been trying out different skin care regimes. I’m not really avoiding the chemicals entirely although the most recent brand I purchased is supposed to be natural. It is so hard because there are so many brands of skin care and I always feel like I need try something new if it could possibly work better. The natural brand I purchased is very expensive for a tiny little set, and I want to give it a good chance, but I will have to buy another set just for a decent trial run. Add to that the fact that we all have different skin and some things work for some people but not for others, as you mentioned. I have found previous natural products tend to bother my skin because it’s very sensitive. Thank you for sharing. It is encouraging to know others are dealing with the difficulties of natural products.

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